So I received an email out of the blue apparently from the Grand Chancellor (“head honcho”) of the Order Knights of Pythias in New York, an involvement covered by this correspondent last week. Since the “GC” does not do email, I figured to suggest he call me on my cell as I “occupied” my outside office but left the landline inside. In stead of a call, came another reply inquiring if I could pick up gift card he could distribute to deserving brothers. I did not respond, in part because, it was not something I wanted to deal with (and no dollar amounts were suggested); especially with what is going on on the professional side of things; in addition I found it odd that a technology and email challenged person would not just pick up the phone and call; it seemed rather out of character. I started texting with my friend who is the Grand Secretary (GS): “Did you get any interesting emails from Charlie on a GG gmail account?” GS responded: “Yes, after the first, I assumed it is phony. The email address is not his. ”

Me: “I did not check the email until the 3rd receive.

I thought he wanted to call me so I was surprised at content of 2d email & frankly no time for that. But you should see very last one.”

He later texted he got that third one two.

It directed the purchase of four $200 gift cards, one to keep for myself and to remove the labels and take pics of the bar codes.

I later found the same email got sent to my Pythian email address I only use when I send emails from our listserve (Sends to it forward to my personal email.)

We both joked about the scam but expressed concern that others might receive it. Knowing one Pythian brother fell victim to a significant scam, we decided I would compose and send a letter to the listserve sharing what we found, advising it was a bogus email to be avoided and deleted.

This email read:

“Many brothers received a bogus email this morning claiming to be from the Grand Chancellor. Please ignore it. The email is not from the Grand Chancellor.  

“The email in question has the subject either, "Greetings [Your Name]" or just "Greetings" and the following text, "Hello, Are you less busy at the moment? I got a request for you to manage discreetly. I will be going tiny a meeting shortly, please not calls so kindly respond back via email".  It was signed "Charlie Pakula" and on the next line "Grand Chancellor".  The email was sent from grandchancellor01@gmail.com -- an email address not created nor used by the Grand Chancellor.  

“Again please ignore and delete that email if you received it.”

I know we all receive and usually are savvy enough to avoid being preyed upon but this one was subtle enough to be plausible on the first send and then maybe suck someone in.  So ar the email warning seems have done its job.

Have you ever seen or experience this time of scam?